Scottish Government Releases Conversion Practices Bill Consultation Analysis

Today the Scottish Government published their analysis of responses to the consultation they held last year on a draft bill to end conversion practices.

Please note that the analysis and responses contain upsetting content, including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and the endorsement of conversion practices. We would advise caution to anyone reading the analysis or individual responses.

You can read the analysis here, and read the Scottish Government’s response here. We have also written a statement, which you can read below.

If you are experiencing conversion practices now, have done in the past, or are worried you might be at risk now or in future, LGBT Health and Wellbeing run a helpline where you can get support over the phone, via email, or over webchat. The helpline is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (12-9pm) and Sundays (1-6pm), you can call them on 0800 464 7000, email at helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk or access the web chat at https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/conversion-practices/

Conversion practices are incredibly harmful acts that can have lifelong impacts on a person’s mental health, sense of self, and their ability to form relationships and trust those who are supposed to care for them. They take a variety of forms, from religious to secular, and from physical abuse to quasi-therapy.

We welcome the publication of this analysis, and the many positive and supportive responses that it highlights from individuals and organisations. We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute to this consultation, especially those who have themselves experienced conversion practices, as we recognise that contributing to this work can be challenging and come at great personal cost.

Unfortunately, the consultation also received many hateful and negative responses, and so we would advise caution to anyone reading the analysis or individual responses, as some of them are very offensive and upsetting. It is deeply disappointing to see so many people speaking against ending conversion practices, and who believe we would be better pretending to be heterosexual and/or cisgender and suppressing who we really are.

It is clear from these responses that it is societal views and behaviours towards the LGBTQIA+ community that need to change, not us. The belief that we are somehow worse, lesser, or broken for being ourselves is what enables and encourages these horrendous practices. The most vulnerable in our community will not be safe until comprehensive legislation, education, and policy is implemented to end them.

In their response to the analysis, the Scottish Government have made it clear that they still believe in the importance of legislation to end conversion practices, which they say are “both ineffective and harmful”. They have also reaffirmed their commitment to introducing a bill at Scottish Parliament if the UK Government does not introduce comprehensive and satisfactory legislation at a UK-wide level. We, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the wider community of people who support equality and human rights, expect them to deliver on that commitment.

If you’d like more information about conversion practices, the forms they take, and why we need to take action to end them, we have a range of resources and information available here on our website.